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Groundhog Day


Groundhog Day is a very unique holiday! But what is a Groundhog anyway, and do they live in El Paso?

Groundhogs are large, cat-sized rodents.  They are also known as marmots, Woodchucks and whistle pigs. They are a type of ground squirrel. And sadly, they don't live in El Paso! But some of their relatives, hoary marmots and yellow-bellied marmots, live in the mountains in the Northwest United States.

Now.... Groundhog Day! The most famous groundhog of all is Punxsutawney Phil. He's a groundhog from Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania where people have been celebrating Groundhog Day since 1886! According to the Groundhog Day website, Phil is always 100% correct about his predictions. If he sees his shadow, then there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow on Groundhog Day, then there's an early spring.

Learn more about the Holiday and about Groundhogs!
websites:
Groundhog Day official Page
Facts about Groundhogs from National Geographic 
books:
Groundhog stories from the El Paso Public Library
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